Description
Agricola Punica Montessu IGT
Agricola Punica – website
Area: Sardegna/ Sardinia
Classification: Isola dei Nuraghi IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica)
Origins: Red wine from Carignano, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes vinified individually from spurred cordon vines cultivated in Basso Sulcis region.
Soil Composition: Medium texture calcareous, clay and sandy soil.
Grapes:60% Carignano, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah
Climate: Hot and dry in summer, temperate in winter.
Harvesting: In a normal year the grapes are harvested between the second half of September and the middle of October.
Vinification: The must is fermented with the skins at a temperature of between 25 and 30°C. It is periodically pumped over to facilitate the solubilization of the compounds present in the grapes. Malolactic fermentation confers roundness to the wine, which is then aged in French oak barrels(used) for approximately. 12 months.
Organoleptic characteristics:
Colour: deep ruby red.
Perfume: intensely fruity with a liquorice finish.
Taste: an elegant wine with a full mouth.
Vintage 2021
James Suckling 91/100
Aromas of dark cherries, blackberries and baking spices. Medium body with fine tannins and bright acidity. Fresh and crunchy at the center with red fruits on the palate and a lively, powdery finish.
Antonio Galloni 92/100
Dusty dried violets and lavender give way to citrus-tinged blackberries as the remarkably pretty 2021 Montessu blossoms in the glass. This is a soft and savory effort with a core of dark red fruits and salty mineral tones that slowly saturate. The 2021 finishes impressively long and staining, leaving grippy tannins that tug at the cheeks as hints of licorice fade. The Montessu is typically intended for early consumption, yet I’d recommend further cellaring to let all the pieces come together.
Wine Spectator 91/100
A sleek, elegant red, finely knit and harmonious, with a bright thread of citrus peel acidity and a fragrant skein of ground spices and incense winding through flavors of raspberry ganache and plumped cherry fruit. Reveals hints of loamy earth and wild sage, which add a savory edge that lingers on the finish. Carignan, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Drink now through 2029.
Vintage 2020
James Suckling 92/100
“A flavorful nose of cherries, currants, some plums, dried thyme and undergrowth. Medium body with fine tannins. Velvety and layered with a caressing texture. Well-balanced with a focused finish and excellent length. Drink or hold.”
Antonio Galloni 92/100
The 2020 Montessu is a total pleasure. Sweet violets, lavender and cloves accentuate a burst of black raspberries on the nose. This is silky and suave, with masses of ripe red and black fruits that flow across a core of brisk acidity. The 2020 maintains fabulous balance while finishing long and potent yet fresh with a hint of steeped plums that don’t quit. What a beauty.
Vintage 2019
James Suckling 92/100
A rich and dense red from Sardinia with dark berries and plums, as well as walnuts and bark. It’s full and chewy and slightly rustic. But real at the same time. Drink or hold.
